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Entering his fifth season with the Patriots is Anfernee Jennings.
Last season, the 27-year-old linebacker recorded 12 run-related stats and was fourth on the team in tackles (78).
However, Jennings has been on the field late into the second half of the Patriots’ last two preseason games. Preseason games are usually when veteran contributors with numbers like Jennings’ from the previous season aren’t playing.
Jennings recorded three sacks on Saturday, making the most of the snaps. In Saturday’s game, he was the only player on either team to record double sacks.
Vrabel stated, “I’ve noticed a competitiveness (in him) and Anfernee has been around.” We’ve had some excellent discussions. It’s a delicate mix when you attempt to draft some guys and there are some young guys present.
To his credit, all he has done is compete in practice, get reps in the games, and utilize every opportunity he has been given, both today and last week.
Vrabel was questioned about why Dugger and Jennings continued to play so late in Saturday’s game. Dugger continued to play till the conclusion. On the game’s last play, he made an interception.
Dugger had been a starter for a number of years under Mayo and Belichick, and had previously been a team captain under the coaching staff of Jerod Mayo.
Players like Dugger and Jennings don’t usually play in the third and fourth quarters of preseason games. Usually, younger players and those further down the depth chart occupy those places.
Vrabel remarked, “We can only have so many guys.” We need to have 11 players out there every play, and there are those who didn’t travel or play. Thus, we are in the third week of our inaugural team and coaching staff training camp. I want everyone to understand that. We have to do this correctly in the third week of our first year.
He also said that everyone should be ready to play for however long they are in there, whenever they are called to, or to assist on special teams. The punter must be protected, and someone must go out on the field-goal unit. There must be someone on kickoff return. Protecting the players with the ball is our duty, and we must be able to play and get stops exactly like we did. Everyone on the team gains confidence and trust as a result.
During their repetitions, Jennings and Dugger had an influence. Dugger made a number of hard hits in addition to the interception, while Jennings went after the quarterback.
Their performance wasn’t horrible, but it might have been a bit unexpected given the timing of their appearance.
Boston.com’s Khari Thompson reports on professional sports. Khari worked as a college football reporter for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, prior to joining the team in 2022.
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